Memorial

Captain Jason Phipps, 27, passed peacefully away on Feb. 9, 2007, at 8:30 p.m. in Lebanon Veterans Hospital. Jason was born in Sacramento, CA, on June 1, 1979. He was very active in the Ranger Program at Hawk Mountain from the time as a Cadet and into his Senior Membership. He held the Rating of Expert Ranger #202, and Master Medic #19. He was employed as a paramedic at Pottsville Area EMS Services for five years, working until his illness. He graduated from the Albert Einstein Medical Center Paramedic Program in 2000. In addition to his parents and wife, Heather, he is survived by two sons, Colin T. Phipps and Ethan J. Phipps, both at home. Other survivors include a sister, Robin Phipps, Philadelphia. There also is a niece, Savannah Phipps.

Hawk Mountain Ranger School, PA Wing Civil Air Patrol gratefully accepts contributions in honor of our Staff. We sincerely appreciate your donations to one of the established memorial funds and we can discuss your personal wishes.

When a memorial donation is received, the Wing Commander will send a donations receipt thanking the person who made the donation, which they may need for tax purposes.

For Members of the Hawk Mt Ranger School Staff a commemorative Large Memorial Stone will be located in the garden beside the chapel at the Col. Phillip Neuweiler Ranger Training Facility. A gift donation to any of the funds of $500.00 or more will provide a staff member's name on this Memorial.

If you would like to serve on the Memorial Committee or have any ideas for the memorial please contact Lt Col DeEtte Riley at 814-632-8341 after 8 PM or e-mail driley@awandsons.com.

Please send Donations to:
Pennsylvania Wing Headquarter

Civil Air Patrol
Building 3-108
Fort Indiantown Gap
Annville PA 17003

Make Checks payable to: Hawk Mt Ranger School, CAP

Please note on the memo section of the check; Memorial Fund for _____________.

This tower is given to the School by its own member who have received so much from their experiences and life lessons learned through the training. All the Expert Rangers and Master Medic are being challenged by the School Commander Maj Herbert Cahalen, CAP Expert Ranger #40 to donate at least $500.00 towards the building of the 65' climbing rescue tower. This tower will be also used for the new slide for life.

Here are a few comments on what the Hawk Mt Ranger School and Staff Program did to influence my life:

"When I attend Hawk for the first time as a basic cadet, I like many, at the age of 13 had no direction or real goals in my life. I finished my first school and remember as I left the gate that I swore to my self that I would never come back to this bug infested swamp and put myself through that much grief again. But for whatever reason, within a week I couldn't wait to return, but this time on staff. So in the cold of March there I was with approx. sixty other staff wanabee's, going through everything that they could throw at us. At the end, twenty or so of us survived to graduate and to become staff. Through all of the training and abuse, the one thing that was drummed into us day after day was the Staff Cadet Honor Code. That code became one of the most important standards in my life, one that I have tried to live by.

The Staff Cadet Program did many other things for me, it motivated me, it gave me direction and it made me want to help others. So when it came time to go to college it helped me to select Law Enforcement as a career. Now, with 28 years of Law Enforcement behind me and well into retirement I have had time to reflect on the other things that the Ranger Program gave me. It helped me to make quick decisions and then act on them; it made me think on my feet when under stress, it kept me honest and held me to the highest level of integrity. All of these things helped me to survive in the hostel world of undercover work in and around our Nations Capital. The Ranger Program has had a very positive effect on my life and I would not be where I am today were it not for the things I learned and took away with me from Hawk.

Today I am the Commander of the Hawk Mountain Ranger School and responsible for insuring that the Honor Code is upheld. To give back to the program that made such an impact on my life. To remind those that have gone through the program that they also owe back for what they took from the program. For there is no one that has walked through that gate that has not been changed and impacted for life by what they learned and endured at Hawk Mt." Herbert C Cahalen, Maj, CAP

"The school is nine days long, but the experience of each student lasts a lifetime. Lyn (Smith) Gemperle, can attest to that. She was one of the first female cadets to attend the program in the early 1970's, and went on to pave the way for future female staff cadets. "I don't think there's a day that goes by that I don't use something that I learned at Hawk. It really gave me the opportunity to work with a variety of people at a young age." A graduate of Penn State, she was commissioned in the USAF, and served 15 years active duty as a bio-environmental engineer. She currently serves as a LTC in the USAF Reserve.

Shortly after his cadet experience at Hawk Mountain, Charles Wedge served as a helicopter crew chief with the 1^st Air Cavalry from 1966-1967. He is still involved in CAP, serving as the squadron commander of Squadron 123 in Pennsylvania. "My Hawk Mountain experience taught me about teamwork and esprit de corps. When you thought you couldn't move or take another step, your fellow cadets were there for you, and you for them. This is what helped me make it through Vietnam."

Julian Rivera, CAP member for 18 years, is a graduate of Virginia Military Institute, a Captain in the US Marine Corps, and a UH1N gunship helicopter pilot. He served 4 years in combat in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. "I would tell Hawk stories to my crew members during the war. It took us away from the war, if only for a few minutes. My crew loved hearing the stories."

Please help us better honor those of our staff who have passed away. If there is anything you would like to share about anyone mentioned below or know of someone else who ought to be mentioned in this space, please e-mail us at rangerstaff@yahoo.com. Thank you.

He served on the Cadet Ranger Staff from 1964 until 1966. As a Staff Cadet, Thomas Cawthray exhibited an unusual degree of maturity and leadership that caused us to name the award for the year's outstanding Staff Cadet after him. He had a humane leadership capability about him that younger cadets emulated. Tom was unfortunately the first of several Ranger Cadets that perished during the Vietnam Conflict. After enlisting in the US Army, Thomas died during helicopter pilot training when a helicopter crashed due to mechanical failure, killing him and his instructor. His family donated his death benefits to the Ranger Section this money was used to upgrade the Obstacle Course a memorial marker was placed near the first jump in memory of Cadet Cawthray.

"Duke" Curto attended Hawk Mountain for the first time in the summer of 1970. ^[1] He had been Squadron Commander of Monroeville Cadet Squadron 604 in the 1960s. Although his CAP background was as a pilot, he embraced to the Ranger Program quickly. He soon became a fixture at Hawk Mountain, serving in many roles on the senior staff of the school. He was practical, kind, and fatherly. He was an inspiration to the cadets of Squadron 604 in during this period; at least seven cadets from that squadron ^[2] became expert rangers during the 1970s, due in large measure to his leadership and support. ^[3] All who got to know him benefited immeasurably from the experience.

^[1] I remember this vividly because I was a basic in Squadron C when he was there. The when I ran the obstacle course on the first morning and I could not climb the rope, he gave me some useful advice to grip the rope with my feet. "Once you learned how to do that," he told me in front of many others a few years later, "you could climb that rope like a monkey." Patrick Flinn.

^[2] They included: Chris Fillar [52]; Roy Solomon [53]; Donald Flinn [57]; Patrick Flinn [81]; Ronald O'Reilly [82]; Ron Rosepink [91]; and David Gemperle [93].

^[3] He made the final signatures on my expert ranger form during the Summer School of 1973, allowing me to receive the award at the School's closing ceremonies that year. Patrick Flinn

Horace served on the Cadet Ranger Staff between 1964 to 1967, along with Tom Cawthray and John Petrilla all members of squadron 801. This was near the beginning of the Cadet Staff Program. They helped establish the honor and integrity of that part of the Ranger program. Horace was the Cadet Commander in 1966. The best leadership is by example and Horace did that. He was a helicopter pilot in Vietnam who served his tour and duty was entitled to return home instead he signed up for a second tour! When he did return home he was killed flying civilian helicopter accident in 1976.

As the PA Wing's Finance Officer Elmer Falavolito, behind the scenes support directly attributed to such visible results as the purchases of the Hawk Mountain Land and the much needed classroom and pole buildings. Few people really knew how much support he provided the Ranger Program. We remember Lt Col Falavolito support by awarding a service and support award every year.

Civil Air Patrol member of Sqdn.101 and Hawk Mountain Ranger School Staff is where Brian quickly developed an avid interest in mountaineering and military leadership. Cadet Commander of the 1992 Hawk Mountain Ranger School. Brian was a U.S. Army Captain and Commander of Bravo Company, "Bulldog", 1^st Battalion, 12^th Infantry Regiment. He died in Iraq serving his country on 18 September 2003.

Brian was a 1996 graduate of the Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor's degree in Spanish, and Army ROTC. He entered Active Duty 10 August 1996. Brian Faunce's awards and decorations include: the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Achievement Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Multinational Force and Observers Service Medal, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Expert Infantryman's Badge, and the Army Parachutist Badge., CAP Expert Ranger # 182.

His family and friends memorial fund donated $10,000.00 to build and furnish the new Cadet Command Office, Faunce Hall http://www.cptbrianfaunce.org/hawkgaly.htm & and training supplies. The family wrote a very touching thank you to all the CAP leadership for the influence the program had on Brain. "The skills and passions that grew with him at Hawk Mountain stayed with him as he grew into manhood, and I could not have been more proud of the young man, husband and leader he became... His commanders, peers and subordinates all spoke of Brian's natural leadership abilities, how well prepared he would be, not matter how large or small the mission. Brian's leadership training was kindled and grew on Hawk Mountain." Future donations to Capt Brian Faunce Memorial Fund will be used for funding the Cadet Command Staff supplies, training materials, and travel to conferences.

The Administration Office here at Hawk Mt Ranger School is dedicated to Betty. Betty tirelessly kept the paperwork at Hawk Mt Ranger School running very smoothly from 1983 until 1997, as the Hawk Mountain Administration Officer. She started her training by attending the Hawk Mt Ranger School Sr. Basic Course in 1975 and returned on staff 1983 until 1997. Three of Betty's children and one grandchild attended the school. Janet, Laurie, and her son in-law Bryan Watson have severed on Ranger Staff. Contributions donated to her memorial fund will help provide supplies and training materials for the school. Betty and her family are very dedicated to the entire CAP program.

Krista Griesacker was an outstanding staff cadet. Krista, her sister Paula (Expert Ranger #168) and her Father Paul (Expert Ranger #171) starting attending Hawk Mt Ranger School in the mid 1980's. Fellow staff members of Hawk Mt Ranger School have established an Adventure Race in her memory, The Krista Griesacker Memorial Adventure Race http://www.goalsara.org. Funds raised will help contribute towards a 65' climbing tower at the Col Phillip Neuweiler Ranger Training Facility and the equipment needed. To date the Race has contributed over $3,700.00. Her passion for the sport of adventure racing led her to live in the area that would also claim hers. She raced in several Eco Challenge Races. While training with her fiancé in the higher elevations of Wyoming, they were caught in a terrible lightning storm. Both were struck and perished on 29 July 1999.

Dependability is the synonym for Doc Hall. No matter the time of night of night or weather Doc Hall was there. He used his expertise as a general practitioner to assist the development and implementation of the Ranger Medic Program. Doc was a very intelligent man that had a unique way of getting your attention. I'm sure those of you who knew him sill have bruises on your sternum from Doc Hall and still can feel his finger poking you. Doc Hall was always ready to set up, breakdown, transport and set up again. You asked for help and he was there. A Staff member is given the Doc Hall Dependability Award every year.

Colonel Phillip Neuweiler Memorial Ranger Training Facility Fund: National Headquarters Civil Air Patrol, Hawk Mt Ranger School Staff Members, and PA Wing Civil Air Patrol contributed over $135,000.00 to upgrade the facility and dedicated the training area. Expert Ranger #1. The Winning Ranger Team is awarded the Col Neuweiler Ranger Team Award.

May 1, 1988 - February 9, 2005
Becky's family and friends donated over $5,300.00 towards the re-building of the chapel and a new moral leadership/chaplains office. Becky's family and friends wants to insure that everyone has the same opportunities Becky had in the Ranger Staff Program, she enjoyed so much. Future donations will be used to help fund the Moral Leadership and Ranger Staff Training supplies. Visit Becky's Memorial web site click http://www.becky-marseglia.memory-of.com/About.aspx

John McGuire was Commander of Squadron 109. He helped found and loved the Escape and Evasion Program, now called the Ranger Orienteering Competition. It continues to evaluate basic ranger skills such as map reading, navigation and mobility.

The Flag Pole at the Hawk Mt Ranger School Parade Field was presented to Hawk Mt Ranger School by the Allentown Senior Squadron 3102 in 1969 in memory of Esther's dedication. In 2005 the Staff installed a new stainless steel pole, with a large keystone base. Esther was the night nurse supervisor at Allenton General Hospital, but, her passion though was Civil Air Patrol. She dedicated herself to do anything for others, no matter who, or if it created any personal hardship. She was always right there for her Squadron whether it be Winter School, Summer School, Communication Weekend or SAR Exercises. She was such a kind and helpful person that one only had to meet her to like her instantly. A Service Award is given in Captain Morganstern name every year.

Ron went missing while paragliding in Tehachapi Mountains, California on June 28, 2003. His body was recovered on March 14, 2005, after an intensive search by the Kern County Sheriff's department, CAP including several trip by members of the HMRS, family and friends. As a Cadet he attended Ranger Staff Training in 1973. He earned his Expert Ranger #91 in 1975 while attending the Air Force Academy, which he graduated in 1978. During the 1978 Hawk Mt Ranger School he parachuted into the parade field during a formation. Ron was an avid flyer, he mastered ballooning, paragliding, as well as pilot on F-16, B-1 Lancer, & F-22. PA Wing has established a glider scholarship. Funds contributed to this fund will be used to add future glider scholarships.

On 12 January 2004 our friend and supporter Carl Townsend passed away after losing the fight with heart problems. Carl was a member of Ranger Headquarters Squadron 3101 for many years and Squadron 108 before that. Carl Earned his Ranger Instructor Rating. He dedicated many hours to developing the training materials use for the schools. The Training award is given in his memory.

The Waskovich family donated the pump and water filtration system for the Hawk Mt Ranger School as a memorial to Hugh. In 2004 the staff built a structure around filtration system to help protect this investment. It would be very beneficial if we can add insulation and heat to this structure to supply water year round.

Hugh Waskovich lived for Civil Air Patrol, especially the Ranger Search and Rescue Program. As many of us did, he stated as a Cadet and continued his CAP career into the Senior Program. Throughout that time he gave his "BEST "So That Others May Live." He pushed to give the Ranger Program an Operational Role rather than just a training role. Expert Ranger, Ranger Sector Commander Mission Commander, Team Commander, Hugh's created discipline style got the mission done. For this reason the Team Commander Award is given in his name every year.

The chapel alter was erected and donated by squadron 804, in memory of Lt Col Weaver. The Hawk Mt Ranger School Leadership award is given in his memory every year.

Civil Air Patrol member of Squadron 302, and Cadet Commander of Hawk Mountain Ranger Schools 1975-1977, Harry was a stellar leader as a cadet, and remained truly inspirational as a CAP senior member. He died 27 October 2002 from illness due to cancer. Harry graduated Shippensburg State College with a Bachelor's degree in Business Accounting. For 30 years Harry trained and took part in Search and Rescue. CAP Expert Ranger # 85.

The memorial fund has already funded $1,500.00 towards the building of the Williams Lodge. Future donations to Capt Harry William Memorial Fund will be used for furnishing Williams Lodge, and promoting the Ranger School throughout CAP. In addition to this memorial fund Squadron 302 gives the Cadet Commander of Hawk Mt Ranger School an award in Capt Williams name every year.